In the feminists lie and make shit up group the AvFM conference in Detroit — which had to raise monies for police as they were told this was a requirement now is being accused of running a shakedown scam, because Paul Elam wrote a letter to those who are not like that asking them to support the fundraising. I quoted Paul yesterday, and that is up. Like Bill Price, I thought the conference was being scammed by someone who wanted them to have to pay for extra police shifts (and increase the cost of the conference –these things have to break even at least).
There is a redacted version of this letter out on the internet; I understand that people are threatening others if it is up, but it does exist, and since I am (a) not American and (b) consider all US lawyers to be scum I’m attaching it.
Well, I am cynical. And I have run conferences: they take a lot of work. But those who are anti this conference are running into the Streisand effect — their opposition is making it news.
This is really turning into a fascinating situation. The irony is that by itself, the conference probably wouldn’t have accomplished all that much. The feminist reaction to the conference, and the reaction to the reaction, is going to be a much bigger and more important story.
The civil rights leaders of the 50s and 60s understood this dynamic. The purpose of those marches in the South was as much to provoke a reaction from anti-civil rights groups and local authorities as it was anything else. They wanted to expose those people and show the world how oppressive and violent they had become.
It is extremely important that AVFM bring video recorders to this event, and thoroughly document all of the actions of the protestors, as well as the police in dealing (or failing to deal) with them. That is going to be the real story of the conference.
Well, it reinforces one of my attitudes: stay out of the USA, and stay out of Detroit. But the snark from the left is illuminating. Dirty tricks are all too common, as a commentator at Judgy Bitch’s place points out.
As to the none reporting of death threats, the answer is simple – they have not been judged credible, but the business is obliged to act in such a way as to ensure should there be any possibility of follow through they have acted in such a way as to reduce litigation liability. I have dealt with this very issue since the 1990?s and police (in Europe Anyway) only act on a Credible threat – a vague report of a vague phone call is not seen as credible. Even deranges nutters follow well known patterns that show credability.
Phoning up, making a nebulous death threat and shifting massive financial obligation onto others is a very old trick – and one well known to those in the field of Business Liability and Indemnity. It’s called pass the buck and make an insurer have liability.
The only other explanation that holds any water is that the person who has made report of Death Threats is a feminist plant within DoubleTree/Hilton or a unionised member who has been Knobbled by others and become convinced that they should make False Report from a position of privilege and opportunity to obstruct the conference. It is far less likely but I’ve seen it happen.
I’d advise that worthless “Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc” analysis is a waste of resources (time, energy, focus) and needs to be stopped Pronto. It also diverts from what the opposition are planning next which is where the focus should be … the future and advance and not looking over shoulders.
What comes next (given that the hurdle of financial failure has been so promptly side stepped)? Easy – they are on a disinformation roll, using any scarp of tosh to misdirect, so I would prepare solid arguments to respond and leave the past game analysis until after the conference.
Well the cops will now be there. The attendees are forearmed. The press are alerted there will be a story. Now, if I was a feminist activist the correct thing to do would be do… nothing. Do not let the press get pictures of women screeching, being dragged away, flinging scat at attendees, or in other ways acting like the fascists that you are: instead say that this is a trivial meeting and we will let it go ahead because we believe in free speech, even those we disapprove of.
But that is not the way to bet. They are more likely to protest publicly. And increase the publicity for the conference. My advice? Ladies, stand for free speech. The best response to bad speech is more speech. However, apparently change.org is involved, so stupid is the way to bet.